Wildlife Photography - The Beginnings for BA Bowen Photography

This coiled Eastern Diamonback Rattlesnake was the photo where it all started for me in the world of wildlife photography. My best friend and I were hiking in the Okaloacoochee Slough after 13 days of very cold weather here in Florida. After hiking, actually we were bushwacking, several miles on an unmaintained trail, I finally relaxed as I saw the trail turn onto a wide open forest road. Fully engrossed in looking up in the trees for birds, I came within two strides from stepping directly on him as he was sunning himself in the forest road. I saw the snake coil, heard the rattle, and heard my best friend yell “SNAKE” simulataneously! In an adrenaline rush I jumped back 6 ft and began shooting photos with my Canon Power Shot. The next week, I posted it the photo on flicker as part of my hiking experience and it got all kinds of attention. I began meeting making new contacts and meeting new people on flickr and Facebook. I was hooked! I upgraded to a Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR camera, and was wisked away into the world of Wildlife and Nature Photography!